Refrigerator

ABSTRACT

A refrigerator includes a cabinet defining a storage space therein and a door configured to open and close the storage space. The door includes a top recess that is recessed downward from a top surface portion of the door, a microphone module accommodated in the top recess and configured to receive a voice command from a user, a controller configured to control an operation of the refrigerator based on the voice command received at the microphone module, a door cover that covers the top recess a microphone-module mount provided at the door cover, wherein the microphone module is accommodated in the microphone-module mount, and a voice input hole defined in the microphone-module mount and configured to transmit a sound of the voice command from an outside of the door cover to an interior of the microphone-module mount.

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

The present application is a continuation of U.S. Application No.16/557,642, filed on Aug. 30, 2019, which claims priority under 35U.S.C. 119 and 35 U.S.C. 365 to Korean Patent Application No.10-2018-0102999, filed on Aug. 30, 2018, which are hereby incorporatedby reference in their entirety.

TECHNICAL FIELD

The present disclosure relates to a refrigerator.

BACKGROUND

Generally, a refrigerator is a household appliance that makes itpossible to store food at low temperatures in an internal storage spacethat is shielded by a door. Generally, the refrigerator is configured tostore the stored food in an optimum state by cooling the inside of thestorage space via cool air generated from heat exchange with refrigerantcirculating as part of a refrigeration cycle.

Recently, refrigerators have become increasingly large andmultifunctional in accordance with changes in diet and product trends. Arefrigerator having various convenience devices for improving user’sconvenience has been introduced.

In recent years, various refrigerators have been developed to enable auser to control the operation of a refrigerator by voice. In the case ofa refrigerator, voice command may especially helpful since both hands ofa user may be holding a food object.

SUMMARY

According to one aspect of the subject matter described in thisapplication, a refrigerator includes a cabinet defining a storage spacetherein and a door configured to open and close at least a portion ofthe storage space. The door includes a top recess that is recesseddownward from a top surface portion of the door, a microphone moduleaccommodated in the top recess and configured to receive a voice commandfrom a user, a controller configured to control an operation of therefrigerator based on the voice command received at the microphonemodule, a door cover that covers the top recess, a microphone-modulemount provided at the door cover, wherein the microphone module isaccommodated in the microphone-module mount, and a voice input holedefined in the microphone-module mount and configured to transmit asound of the voice command from an outside of the door cover to aninterior of the microphone-module mount.

Implementations according to this aspect may include one or more of thefollowing features. For example, the microphone-module mount mayprotrude vertically upward from the door cover. The voice input hole maybe oriented toward a forward direction of the refrigerator, a height ofthe microphone-module mount being greater than a diameter of the voiceinput hole. In some cases, the microphone-module mount may include aprotrusion protruding vertically upward from the door cover, and aninclined portion extending downward from the protrusion toward a forwarddirection of the refrigerator. Here, the input hole may be defined atthe inclined portion.

In some implementations, the microphone-module mount may define adownwardly recessed depression that is positioned forward of theinclined portion, wherein the inclined portion extends downward to abottom of the depression. A hole guide that protrudes from the inclinedportion may be disposed around the voice input hole, wherein aprotrusion length of the hole guide from the inclined portion decreasesin a downward direction such that a slope of a front face of the holeguide is greater than a slope of the inclined portion. The microphonemodule may be mounted on a rear face of the inclined portion, themicrophone module being spaced from an inner surface of the top recess.The microphone module may include a microphone substrate extending alongand disposed on the inclined portion, a microphone element placed on themicrophone substrate and located at a position corresponding to thevoice input hole, and a sealing member surrounding the microphoneelement and disposed between and in direct contact with the microphonesubstrate and the rear face of the inclined portion.

In some implementations, the sealing member may be made from an elasticmaterial and has a thickness that is greater than that of the microphoneelement. A microphone-module support supporting the microphone modulethereon may be mounted on a bottom face of the microphone-module mount.In some cases the microphone-module support may include a mounting faceportion in contact with and coupled to the protrusion, and a supportingface portion extending from a front end of the mounting face portion andhaving a same slope as the inclined portion. The microphone module maybe mounted on the supporting face portion. The microphone-module supportmay have a connector hole defined therein, the connector hole exposing amicrophone connector protruding downward from the microphone substrate.The microphone-module mount may further include front and rear ribsrespectively extending along front and rear ends of the inclinedportion, wherein the front and rear ribs protrude downward and contactfront and rear ends of the microphone module respectively to receive themicrophone module therebetween, Here, the microphone-module support mayfurther include upper ribs and lower ribs respectively extending alongfront and rear ends of the supporting face portion and being in contactwith outer sides of the front ribs and rear ribs respectively.

In some implementations, the voice input hole may include a plurality ofvoice input holes that are spaced apart from each other, wherein themicrophone module may include a plurality of microphone elementscorresponding to the plurality of voice input holes. In some cases, therefrigerator according to this aspect may further include a speakermodule accommodated in the top recess and configured to audibly output arefrigerator operation status and information, a speaker-modulereceiving portion recessed in the door cover at a position of the doorcover corresponding to the speaker module, wherein the speaker module isaccommodated in the speaker-module receiving portion, a sound outputhole defined in the speaker-module receiving portion, wherein a soundoutput unit of the speaker module is in communication with the soundoutput hole, and a speaker-module covering the speaker-module receivingportion, wherein the speaker module cover covers the sound output hole.An outer perimeter of the speaker-module cover may be spaced from anouter perimeter of the speaker-module receiving portion. A protrudingedge may extend around the sound output hole to filter dust fromentering into the sound output hole, wherein the protruding edgeprotrudes to a vertical level below a bottom face of the speaker-modulecover. The top recess may receive therein a voice-recognition printedcircuit board (PCB) connected to the microphone module and configured toprocess a signal input from the microphone module. The top recess mayhouse therein a door opening mechanism configured to push the cabinet toopen the door, wherein the door opening mechanism is activated based onthe voice command from the voice command received by the microphonemodule.

According to another aspect, a refrigerator includes a cabinet defininga storage space therein, a door configured to open and close at least aportion of the storage space, a cap decoration mounted on a top surfaceportion of the door, wherein the cap decoration has a top recess definedtherein, a microphone module accommodated in the top recess andconfigured to receive a voice command from a user, a controllerconfigured to control an operation of the refrigerator based on thevoice command input to the microphone module, a door cover that coversthe top recess, a microphone-module mount protruding upward from thedoor cover at a position corresponding to the microphone module, whereinthe microphone module is mounted on the microphone-module mount, and avoice input hole defined at an inclined edge of the microphone-modulemount and opened toward a forward direction of the refrigerator, whereinthe voice input hole is in communication with the microphone module.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 is a front view of an example refrigerator according to animplementation of the present disclosure.

FIG. 2 is a perspective view of the refrigerator.

FIG. 3 is a front view of a refrigerator door according to animplementation of the present disclosure.

FIG. 4 is a cross-section taken along a line 4-4′ FIG. 3 .

FIG. 5 is an exploded perspective view of a top portion of therefrigerator door.

FIG. 6 is an exploded perspective view showing a coupling structure of acap door cover and a speaker module and a microphone module according toan implementation of the present disclosure.

FIG. 7 is a partial enlarged view of a microphone-module mount accordingto tan implementation of the present disclosure.

FIG. 8 is a perspective view of the microphone-module mount when viewedfrom below.

FIG. 9 is an exploded perspective view showing a mounting structure ofthe microphone module.

FIG. 10 is an exploded perspective view of the microphone module.

FIG. 11 is a perspective view of a microphone-module support accordingto an implementation of the present disclosure.

FIG. 12 is a cross-sectional view showing a coupling structure of themicrophone module and microphone-module support.

FIG. 13 is a partial enlarged view showing a combination of themicrophone module and the microphone-module support.

FIG. 14 is a cross section showing a mounting structure of a speakermodule.

FIG. 15 is a block diagram showing a control signal flow for therefrigerator.

FIG. 16 is a front view of a refrigerator in accordance with anotherimplementation of the present disclosure.

FIG. 17 is a perspective view of a refrigerator door according toanother implementation of the present disclosure.

FIG. 18 is an exploded perspective view showing a mounting structure ofa door opening mechanism in accordance with another implementation ofthe present disclosure.

FIG. 19 is an exploded perspective view of a top portion of therefrigerator door.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

FIG. 1 is a front view of a refrigerator according to an implementationof the present disclosure. FIG. 2 is a perspective view of therefrigerator. FIG. 3 is a front view of a refrigerator door inaccordance with an implementation of the present disclosure.

As shown in the figures, an external appearance of a refrigerator 1according to an implementation of the present disclosure may be definedby a cabinet 10 having a storage space therein and a door for openingand closing the storage space.

The interior of the cabinet 10 may be partitioned vertically into upperand lower sections. For example, a refrigerating compartment may bedefined in an upper portion of the cabinet 10 and a freezing compartmentmay be defined in a lower portion of the cabinet 10. In another example,the interior of the cabinet 10 may be partitioned into left and rightsections. The refrigerating compartment and freezing compartment may berespectively defined in left and right portions of the cabinet 10 orvice versa.

The door may include a refrigerating compartment door 20 and a freezingcompartment door 30. The refrigerating compartment door 20 and thefreezing compartment door 30 may pivot to close or open therefrigerating compartment and the freezing compartment, respectively.

The refrigerator compartment door 20 may include a pair of a leftrefrigerating compartment door 21 and a right refrigerating compartmentdoor 22 for opening and closing the refrigerating compartment as definedin an upper portion of the cabinet 10. The freezing compartment door 30may include a pair of a left freezing compartment door 31 and a rightfreezing compartment door 32 for opening and closing the freezingcompartment defined in an lower portion of the cabinet 10.

The implementations of the present disclosure may be applied to alltypes of doors of a refrigerator, regardless of the shape and structureof the door. For convenience of explanation and understanding, arefrigerator including the refrigerating compartment door and thefreezing compartment door will be described as an example.

In one example, an ice maker 25 may be provided on the inner surface ofthe left refrigerating compartment door 21. The ice maker 25 is a devicefor making and storing ice via automatic watering. The ice maker 25 maybe provided inside a heat insulating space formed in the back surface ofthe left refrigerating compartment door 21.

Further, a dispenser 23 may be provided on the front face of the leftrefrigerating compartment door 21. The dispenser 23 allows the ice orpurified water produced by the ice maker 25 to be taken out. Thedispenser 23 allows the extraction of water or ice based on externalmanipulation of the user.

An auxiliary display 231 may be provided above the dispenser 23. Theauxiliary display 231 may display the operation status of the dispenser23 and the refrigerator 1, and may be configured to receive a controlinput from the user. The auxiliary display 231 may perform the functionsof the display 24, for example, if the right refrigerating compartmentdoor 22 is not provided with a display 24.

The right refrigerating compartment door 22 may have an opening 220defined in its center. A door basket 221 may be provided inside theopening 220. A sub-door 40 for opening and closing the opening 220 maybe provided. Thus, the user will be able to access the door basket 221by opening and closing the sub-door 40.

The sub-door 40 may be pivotally axially coupled at one side end thereofto the cabinet. A handle 425 may be recessed in the other side end ofthe sub-door to facilitate pivotal manipulation of the sub-door 40.

The sub-door 40 may at least partially be selectively transparent oropaque. Accordingly, the sub-door 40 can allow the user to visuallycheck the inside of the opening 220 even when the sub-door 40 is closed.

Further, the display 24 may be provided below the opening 220. Thedisplay 24 can display the operation status of the refrigerator andallow the user to manipulate the operation of the refrigerator 1.

Accordingly, when the display 24 is turned on even when the sub-door 40is closed, the user can check the output information of the display 24through the sub-door 40.

In one example, as shown in FIG. 3 , a microphone-module mount 511 inwhich a microphone module 53 for receiving a voice of a user is mountedmay protrude from a top face of the right refrigerating compartment door22. The microphone module 53 may be provided inside themicrophone-module mount 511.

The microphone module 53 and the microphone-module mount 511 may bedisposed to the left of a center of the right refrigerating compartmentdoor 22. As illustrated, the refrigerating compartment doors 20 areprovided at left and right sides respectively. Thus, when the microphonemodule 53 is placed on the left side of the right refrigeratingcompartment door 22, the microphone is more likely to recognize the uservoice when the user is speaking at the center in front of therefrigerator 1.

The microphone-module mount 511 may not be visible to the user whenviewed from the front due to its shape and location. For example, sincethe height of the refrigerator is usually greater than the user’sheight, the microphone-module mount 511 may not be visible to the userin normal use. Further, since the user is located away from therefrigerator 1, the microphone-module mount 511 and a voice input hole512 defined in the microphone-module mount 511 may be less visible.

In other words, the microphone-module mount 511 may have a position andstructure that ensures high voice recognition performance whileminimizing external exposure thereof to the user. Hereinafter, thestructure of the microphone-module mount 511 and the microphone module53 will be described in more detail.

Further, the implementations of the present disclosure disclose anexample in which the microphone module 53 is provided on the rightrefrigerating compartment door 22. However, the present disclosure isnot limited thereto. The implementations of the present disclosure maybe applied to any type of refrigerators where a cap decoration is formedon the top face of the door. Hereinafter, the right refrigeratingcompartment door 22 will be referred to as a door 22.

FIG. 4 is a cross-section taken along a line 4-4′ in FIG. 3 . FIG. 5 isan exploded perspective view of a top portion of the refrigerator door.

As shown, the sub-door 40 may have a door frame 41 defining a contour ofthe door and opened in a center thereof, and a panel assembly 42 mountedto the door frame 41 to shield the opened center of the door frame 41.

The panel assembly 42 may include a plurality of glass 421, 422, and 423which are spaced from each other back and forth, and spacers 424, eachdisposed between adjacent glass members 421, 422, and 423. The spacers424 may support the plurality of glasses 421, 422, 423 at theperipheries thereof. The plurality of glasses 421, 422 and 423, thusarranged in a spaced apart manner, may define insulating spaces betweenthem. At least one glass 421 may be made of as an insulating glass.

The panel assembly 42 may define the front and rear faces of thesub-door 40 while mounted on the door frame 41. In particular, the glass421 defining the front face of the panel assembly 42 is configured to belarger than each of the other glasses 422 and 423 so that a projectingedge of the glass 421 may be seated on the door frame 41 and the glass421 defines the entire front face of the sub-door 40. Further, a film ora coating layer of a specific color may be formed on the glass 421 sothat the inside of the opening 220 may be selectively transparent.

In one example, the door 22 may include an out plate 222 defining afront face and an outer circumference of the door 22, and a door liner223 defining a rear face of the door 22 and being in combination withthe out plate 222. The out plate 222 may be made of a metal material. Aportion of the out plate 222 corresponding to the opening 220 may beconstructed to be opened.

The door liner 223 may define the back surface of the door 22 and theinner surface of the opening 220. In another example, a separate framemay be further disposed to define the inner surface of the opening 220as needed. Each of the out plate 222 and the door liner 223 may becoupled to both sides of the frame.

A door light 225 may be mounted on the door liner 223 defining the innerface of the opening 220. The door light 225 may include an LED module225 b and a light case 225 a that accommodates the LED module 225 b. Thelight emitted from the LED module 225 b passes through the light case225 a and is irradiated toward the inside of the opening 220. Thus, theinside of the opening 220 can be revealed.

Accordingly, when the light door 22 is turned on, the inside of theopening 220 becomes bright. Thus, the food contained in the door basket221 may be identified through the transparent portion 421 a even whenthe sub-door 40 is closed.

When the door light 225 is turned off, the inside of the opening 220 maybe darkened, and the transparent portion 421 a may become opaque so thatthe interior of the opening is invisible. In this connection, thetransparent portion 421 a may be opaque via the glass 421 of the panelassembly 42. In one example, the transparent portion 421 a may look likea mirror plane. The transparent portion 421 a refers to a region in theglass 421 where the interior of the opening is visible. To this end,when an opaque bezel is formed around the glass 421, the transparentportion 421 a may be made of a region inwardly of the bezel.

In some implementations, the panel assembly 42 may include a glass thatchanges from transparent to translucent and vice versa, for exampleusing an electrochromic material.

In one example, the door liner 223 may be equipped with a gasket. Thegasket may be formed along the perimeter of the door. A cap decoration50 may be formed on the top face of the door 22. The cap decoration 50is combined with the door liner 223 and the out plate 222 to define atop face of the door 22. The interior space of the door 22 defined bythe out plate 222, the door liner 223 and the cap decoration 50 may befilled with a heat insulating material 224.

In one example, the cap decoration 50 may be made of a plastic material.A hinge mounted space 502 may be recessed in one end of the capdecoration 50 to receive therein a hinge for pivoting of the door 22.

Further, the cap decoration 50 may have a top recess 501 which isdepressed downwardly in the cap decoration 50. The top recess 501 may bedownwardly depressed except for the outer periphery of the capdecoration 50.

A door opening mechanism 52, the microphone module 53, a speaker module55, and a PCB (printed circuit board) 56 may be housed inside the toprecess 501. Further, a door cover 51 may be shaped to shield the openedtop face of the top recess 501.

In some implementations, the door opening mechanism 52 may be configuredto, upon activation thereof, open the door automatically without theuser having to pull the door 22 directly while the door 22 is closed.The door opening mechanism 52 may have various configurations. In somecases, the door opening mechanism 52 includes a push rod 521 that isselectively protruded. The push rod 521 may be protruded when an openingsignal is input. Thus, an end of the push rod 521 pushes the cabinet 10to open the door 22. When the push rod 521 is retracted, the door 22 canbe rotated and closed by its own weight.

A rod opening 501 a may be defined at one side of the rear face of thetop recess 501 facing the push rod 521. Accordingly, when the dooropening mechanism 52 inside the door 22 is operated, the push rod 521may push the cabinet 10 through the rod opening 501 a to open the door22.

The door opening mechanism 52 may be operated by the user’s voice inputto the microphone module 53. Therefore, the door 22 may be opened andclosed based on the voice of the user.

In order to position the microphone module 53 and the speaker module 55close to the center of the refrigerator 1, that is, to the left side ofthe top recess 501, the door opening mechanism 52 may be positioned atthe right side in the top recess 501.

The microphone module 53 may be configured to receive a voice of a userfor controlling the operation of the refrigerator 1 and may be mountedin the microphone-module mount 511 formed on the door cover 51. Themicrophone module 53 may be in close contact with the bottom face of thedoor cover 51 and may be supported by a microphone-module support 54.The microphone-module mount 511 may further have a voice input hole 512defined therein. Through the voice input hole 512, the voice of the usermay be introduced into the microphone module 53 mounted inside themicrophone-module mount 511.

The speaker module 55 is configured to output sound, as well as otherinformation such as the operation status information of the refrigerator1 or user’s request information. The speaker module 55 may be locatedbeneath the speaker-module receiving portion 514 formed on the doorcover 51. Further, the speaker module 55 may be fixedly mounted on thedoor cover 51.

The PCB 56 may be connected to the microphone module 53 and the speakermodule 55. The PCB 56 may process the voice input from the microphonemodule 53. Therefore, the PCB 56 may be referred to as a voicerecognition PCB. In one example, the PCB 56 may be coupled to thespeaker module 55 and process the voice signal to be output to thespeaker module 55.

The PCB 56 may be fixedly mounted on the bottom of the top recess 501.The PCB 56 may include a plurality of connectors 561, 562, 563 and 564.In detail, the connectors 561, 562, 563, and 564 include a firstconnector 562 and a second connector 563 connected to the microphonemodule 53, a third connector 561 connected to the speaker module 55, anda fourth connector 564 to which power is supplied. Thus, the speakermodule 55 or the microphone module 53 may be simply separated from thecap decoration 50 and replaced with another as needed. Thus, it ispossible to selectively use the microphone module 53 and the speakermodule 55 according to the model specification of the refrigerator 1.

The door cover 51 is formed in a plate shape corresponding to the topopen face of the top recess 501. The door cover 51 may be mounted on thecap decoration to shield the top recess 501. The door cover 51 ismounted on the cap decoration 50 to define the top face of the door 22.The microphone module 53 and the speaker module 55 may be fixedlymounted to the door cover 51. That is, the microphone module 53 and thespeaker module 55 may be present on the door 22, and may be mounted onthe door cover 51 and may be suspended in the inside of the top recess501.

In particular, the microphone module 53 may be maintained to be attachedto the bottom face of the door cover 51, such that the noise introducedinto the microphone module 53 may be minimized. For example, in therefrigerator 1, noise vibrations of devices such as a compressor 15 forperforming the refrigerating cycle during the operation of therefrigerator are continuously generated. This vibration noise may beconductive along and on the door 22 to prevent the voice input frombeing transmitted to the microphone module 53.

Thus, the microphone module 53 may be mounted in the interior of thedoor 22 without being exposed to the outside, but may be spaced from theinterior of the door 22. This may minimize the influence of noisegenerated in the operation of the refrigerator 1. This may improve voicerecognition performance.

Hereinafter, the structure of each of the microphone module 53 and thespeaker module 55 will be described in more detail with reference to thedrawings.

FIG. 6 is an exploded perspective view showing the coupling structure ofthe cap door cover and the speaker module and the microphone moduleaccording to the implementation of the present disclosure. FIG. 7 is apartial enlarged view of the microphone-module mount in accordance withan implementation of the present disclosure. FIG. 8 is a perspectiveview of the microphone-module mount when viewed from below. FIG. 9 is anexploded perspective view showing the mounting structure of themicrophone module.

As shown, the microphone-module mount 511 may be formed on the doorcover 51. The microphone-module mount 511 may include a protrusion 511 aprotruding upward from the door cover 51, an inclined portion 511 bformed at the front end of the protrusion 511 a, and a depression 513formed at an end of the inclined portion 511 b.

The protrusion 511 a may protrude to have a top face in parallel withthe top face of the door cover 51 and have the highest level of themicrophone-module mount 511. A microphone-module mounting boss 517 maybe formed underneath the protrusion 511 a. The microphone-modulemounting boss 517 may be formed at each of left and right sides and maybe inserted into a through-hole 546 of the microphone-module support 54.A screw S may be fastened to the microphone-module mounting boss 517 inthe through hole 546 so that the microphone-module support 54 may befixedly mounted to the bottom face of the protrusion 511 a.

The protrusion height of the protrusion 511 a may be sized such that aproper size of the voice input hole 512 may be defined in the inclinedportion 511 b. The protrusion height of the protrusion 511 a may besized such that then viewed from the front, the microphone-module mount511 is invisible. For example, the height of the protrusion 511 a may beset to have a height of 2 mm to 3 mm.

The inclined portion 511 b may be formed at the front end of themicrophone-module mount 511 and have a top face inclined downwardly asit extends in a front direction. The inclined portion 511 b may have atop face having an incline of approximately 30 to 50 degrees withrespective to the horizontal surface.

The inclined portion 511 b may be formed to have a predetermined widthand may have a corresponding size and shape so that the microphonemodule 53 may be in close contact with the bottom surface of theinclined portion 511 b. A front rib 511 c and a rear rib 511 d forfixing the microphone module 53 to the inclined portion may protrudedownwards from the bottom surface of the inclined portion 511 b. Thefront rib 511 c and rear rib 511 d may extend laterally along the frontend and rear end of the bottom face of the inclined portion 511 b,respectively. Thus, the microphone module 53 may be fitted into betweenthe front rib 511 c and the rear rib 511 d.

The microphone module 53 may be mounted at the correct position betweenthe front rib 511 c and the rear rib 511 d. The voice input hole 512formed in the inclined portion 511 b may be aligned with a microphoneelement 532 of the microphone module 53.

The voice input hole 512 is defined in the inclined portion 511 b. Thevoice input hole 512 may be defined at a position corresponding to acenter of the microphone element 532. Thus, the user’s voice may beeffectively input through the voice input hole 512 to the microphoneelement 532.

The voice input hole 512 may be defined in left and right sides of theinclined portion 511 b. That is, each of the voice input hole 512 andthe corresponding microphone element 532 may be provided in a pairedmanner. Thus, a voice having passed through the pair of voice inputholes 512 may be input to the pair of the microphone elements 532.

In some implementations, each of a spacing between the pair of the voiceinput holes 512 and a spacing between the pair of the microphoneelements 532 may be approximately 5 mm to 10 mm based on a typicallocation of the user. This spacing may allow more effectively analyzingand processing the voice input to the microphone element 532, thereby toimprove the voice recognition performance.

A hole guide 512 a may be formed around the voice input hole 512. Thehole guide 512 a may be constructed to protrude along the periphery ofthe voice input hole 512, and may be formed such that a protrudingheight thereof decreases as it goes downwardly. Accordingly, when thedust or foreign matter falls from above, the hole guide 512 a preventsdust or foreign matter from being directly introduced into the voiceinput hole 512, so that the dust or foreign matter may flow down and maybe guided to the depression 513.

Further, the hole guide 512 a is formed on the inclined portion 511 b.However, a top face of the hole guide 512 a has a larger slope than thetop face of the inclined portion 511 b so that the voice from the userin front thereof may be delivered more effectively towards the voiceinput hole 512.

Further, the voice input hole 512 is facing forwards. In thisconnection, the hole guide 512 a may be formed around the voice inputhole 512 to prevent sound output from the speaker module 55 fromre-entering the microphone element 532. Further, in some cases, thespeaker-module receiving portion 514 may be spaced from themicrophone-module mount 511 or the voice input hole 512 by at least 80mm to 120 mm.

In one example, the depression 513 may be defined in front of theinclined portion 511 b. The depression 513 may be recessed downward fromthe end of the inclined portion 511 b so that dust or foreign matterfalling from above can be gathered therein. Therefore, even when dust orforeign matter falls from above and accumulates on the door cover 51,the voice input hole 512 may not be easily clogged by the dust.

That is, the dust or foreign matter flowing along the inclined portion511 b is accommodated in the depression 513 in front of the inclinedportion 511 b. Thus, the voice input hole 512 may not be clogged untilthe depression 513 is completely filled with the dust or debris whichthen overflows out of the depression 513, such that the voicerecognition performance from the user may be maintained reliably.

In one example, the door cover 51 may have a speaker-module receivingportion 514 formed therein, on which the speaker module 55 is mounted.The speaker-module receiving portion 514 may be defined to be depresseddownwardly in one area of the door cover 5. The speaker module 55 may bemounted on the bottom face of the speaker-module receiving portion 514.

A sound output hole 515 may be defined in the center of thespeaker-module receiving portion 514. An edge protrusion 515 a may beformed around the sound output hole 515. The edge protrusion 515 a mayhave a protruding height so as not to touch the speaker-module cover 57.The edge protrusion 515 a can prevent dust or foreign matter introducedinto the speaker-module receiving portion 514 from entering the speakermodule 55.

In one example, a sound output unit 550 of the speaker module 55 isdisposed in an inner space defined by the edge protrusion 515 a, thatis, at a position corresponding to the sound output hole 515.Accordingly, the sound output from the sound output unit 550 can beoutput to the outside through the sound output hole 515 without leakinginto the door 22.

Further, the speaker-module receiving portion 514 may have a pair ofspeaker-module mounting female bosses 516. The speaker-module mountingfemale boss 516 may be formed on each of both sides around the soundoutput hole 515. The speaker-module mounting male bosses 572 may extenddownward from the cover 57 and extend to a speaker-module wing 552 ateach of both sides.

Further, the speaker-module receiving portion 514 may blocked by thespeaker-module cover 57. The speaker-module cover 57 may include a plateportion 571 and speaker-module mounting male bosses 572. The plateportion 571 may have a plate shape. The plate portion 571 may have ashape corresponding to that of the speaker-module receiving portion 514and may have a slightly smaller size than that of the speaker-modulereceiving portion 514. Thus, when the speaker-module cover 57 is mountedon the speaker-module receiving portion 514, a perimeter of thespeaker-module receiving portion 514 and a perimeter of thespeaker-module cover 57 are spaced apart from each other. Thus, thesound output from the speaker module 55 may leak out through the spacingtherebetween.

The speaker-module mounting male boss 572 may extend downward from thebottom face of the speaker-module cover 57. The speaker-module mountingmale boss 572 may extend through the speaker-module mounting female boss516 to the speaker-module wing 552. A screw S may pass through thespeaker-module wing 552 and then may be fastened to the speaker-modulemounting male boss 572 so that the speaker-module cover 57 and thespeaker module 55 are fixedly mounted on the door cover 51.

FIG. 10 is an exploded perspective view of the microphone module.

Referring to the microphone module 53 based on the drawing, themicrophone module 53 may include a microphone substrate 531, amicrophone element 532, and a sealing member 533.

Specifically, the microphone substrate 531 is configured for allowingthe microphone elements 532 to be mounted thereon and supported thereonto be spaced from each other by a predetermined spaced distance. Themicrophone substrate 531 may be elongated in the length direction so asto be mountable to the inclined portion 511 b of the microphone-modulemount 511.

A microphone connector 534 may be provided at the center of the bottomface of the microphone substrate 531. The microphone connector 534 mayprotrude downwards and be inserted into a connector hole 545 defined inthe microphone-module support 54. Thus, the first and second connectors563 of the PCB 56 and the microphone connector 534 may be connected toeach other by a harness having both ends connected to the connectorswithout interference from the microphone-module support 54.

The microphone element 532 may receive voice input and may be mounted oneach of both sides of the top face of the microphone substrate 531. Themicrophone element 532 may be located at a position corresponding to thevoice input hole 512 when the microphone module 53 is mounted on themount 511, so that the user’s voice may be input to the element 532. Themicrophone element 532 may employ various elements having structurescapable of receiving voice input from the user. For example, themicrophone element 532 may include a variety of devices that may receivevoice input. Therefore, the microphone element 532 may be referred to asa microphone or microphone device.

The sealing member 533 is disposed on each of both sides of the top faceof the microphone substrate 531 and surrounds the microphone element532. The sealing member 533 may be disposed at each of both ends of themicrophone substrate 531 and may be disposed between and in tightcontact with the microphone substrate 531 and the inclined portion 511 bof the microphone-module mount 511.

The sealing member 533 may be made of an elastic material and may beadhered to the top face of the microphone substrate 531 and the bottomface of the inclined portion 511 b. The sealing member 533 may be anadhesive tape or a double-sided tape.

A hole 533 a may be defined at the center of the sealing member 533. Themicrophone element 532 may be located inside the hole 533 a. The sealingmember 533 may be constructed to be thicker than the microphone element532.

Thus, while the microphone module 53 is pressed against themicrophone-module support 54, the sealing member 533 may completely sealaround the microphone element 532 to prevent the noise from beingintroduced to the microphone element 532.

Additionally, the sealing member 533 may effectively buffer shock orvibration generated when the door 22 is opened or closed due to thenature of the use environment of the door 22. Further, the sealingmember 533 may allow the mounting position of the microphone module 53to be maintained and the element 532 to be sealed so that excellentvoice recognition performance can be maintained. Further, vibrations andshocks from the cabinet 10 during the operation of the refrigerator 1may also be mitigated by the sealing member 533.

FIG. 11 is a perspective view of a microphone-module support accordingto an implementation of the present disclosure.

As shown in the figure, the microphone-module support 54 is mounted onthe door cover 51 so that the microphone module 53 can be tightly fixedto the inclined portion 511 b of the door cover 51. The top face of themicrophone-module support 54 may include a mounting face 541 and asupporting face 542.

The mounting face 541 is configured for mounting the microphone-modulesupport 54 on the cover 51. The face 541 may be parallel to the bottomface of the door cover 51. More specifically, the face 541 may beparallel to the bottom face of the protrusion 511 a. A pair of supporterthrough-holes 546 may be respectively defined in both sides of themounting face 541 to penetrate the microphone-module support 54 in theup-and-down direction. The screw S may upwardly pass through thesupporter through-hole 546 and be fastened to the microphone-modulemounting male boss 517.

The supporting face 542 is formed in front of the mounting face 541 andis inclined downwardly as it goes in the front direction. The supportingface 542 may be sized such that the microphone module 53 is mountedthereon. The face 542 may be constructed to have a slope correspondingto the inclined portion 511 b of the microphone-module mount 511. Thus,the microphone module 53 may be disposed between the inclined portion511 b and the supporting face 542.

Moreover, from a rear end of the supporting face 542, an upper rib 543may protrude to be in contact with the rear rib 511 d. A lower rib 544to be in contact with the front rib 511 c may protrude from the frontend of the supporting face 542.

The lower rib 544 has a predetermined height. The lower rib 544 maydefine an edge protrusion 515 a extending upward along a front edge anda portion of a side edge of the microphone-module support 54.Accordingly, when the microphone-module support 54 is mounted on thecover 51, the front rib 511 c and the rear rib 511 d may be positionedbetween the upper rib 543 and the lower rib 544, while the depression513 of the microphone-module mount 511 may be inserted into a spacebetween the supporting face 542 and the lower rib 544.

In accordance with this structure, the microphone-module support 54 canbe mounted in the correct position. The guide structure of the ribs 511c, 511 d, 543, and 544 guides the microphone-module support 54 to bemounted at an accurate position where optimal voice recognitionperformance can be maintained.

In one example, a connector hole 545 may be defined in the center of themicrophone-module support 54. Thus, while the microphone module 53 ismounted on the supporting face 542, the microphone connector 534 may beexposed downwardly through the connector hole 545. Accordingly, themicrophone module 53 may be connected to the PCB 56 while the microphonemodule 53 is fixedly mounted on the door cover 51.

FIG. 12 is a cross-sectional view showing a coupling structure of themicrophone module and microphone-module support. FIG. 13 is a partialenlargement of the coupling state of the microphone module andmicrophone-module support.

Referring to the mounting structure of the microphone module 53 indetail based on the drawings, the microphone module 53 is mounted on thesupporting face 542 of the microphone-module support 54. In thisconnection, the microphone connector 534 is located inside the connectorhole 545.

The microphone-module support 54 with the microphone module 53 mountedthereon is placed on the microphone-module mount 511. In thisconnection, the mounting face 541 of the microphone-module support 54 ismounted on the bottom face of the protrusion 511 a of themicrophone-module mount 511. Then, the screw S below themicrophone-module support 54 passes through the supporter through-hole546 and then is fastened to the microphone-module mounting male boss517.

The upper rib 543 and the lower rib 544 may be coupled to the front rib511 c and the rear rib 511 d respectively and may contact the outerfaces of the front rib 511 c and the rear rib 511 d respectively whilethe screw S has been fastened to the boss 517. Thus, themicrophone-module support 54 may be positioned in the correct position.As a result, the microphone element 532 of the microphone module 53 andthe voice input hole 512 can be aligned with each other.

Further, the microphone module 53 is located in the space between thefront rib 511 c and the rear rib 511 d. The sealing member 533 of themicrophone module 53 seals between the microphone PCB 56 and the bottomface of the inclined portion 511 b.

Particularly, when the screw S for mounting the microphone-modulesupport 54 to the cover 51 is completely tightened, themicrophone-module support 54 presses the microphone module 53 againstthe bottom face of the inclined portion 511 b. Thus, the sealing member533 may be compressed to seal the space between the microphone PCB 56and the back surface of the inclined portion 511 b.

Thus, user’s voice entering the voice input hole 512 may be moreefficiently transmitted to the microphone element 532 without leakage.In addition, unwanted noise may be prevented from entering themicrophone element 532.

In one example, the voice input hole 512 may be defined so that itsdiameter widens in a downward direction, that is, in a directionapproaching the microphone element 532. Therefore, the voice introducedinto the voice input hole 512 may be effectively transmitted to themicrophone element 532 and minimize the generation of noise.

Hereinafter, the mounting structure of the speaker module 55 will bedescribed in more detail with reference to the drawings.

FIG. 14 is a cross section showing the mounting structure of the speakermodule.

The speaker module, as shown, may be disposed on the bottom face of thespeaker-module receiving portion 514. In this connection, a sound outputunit 550 for outputting voice is present on the speaker module 55 toface the sound output hole 515. An output unit guide 551 may extendaround the sound output unit 550. The output unit guide 551 may beconstructed to abut the outer edge of the edge protrusion 515 a formedon the speaker-module receiving portion 514. Thus, the speaker module 55may be mounted in the correct position and the sound output from thesound output unit 550 may be transmitted externally through the soundoutput hole 515.

The speaker-module cover 57 covers the speaker-module receiving portion514. The speaker-module mounting male boss 572 penetrates thespeaker-module mounting female boss 516. The screw upwardly passingthrough the speaker-module wing 552 is coupled to the speaker-modulemounting male boss 572 to couple the speaker-module cover 57 and thespeaker module 55 together.

The speaker-module cover 57 may be flush with the top faces of the doorcover 51 and the cap decoration 50 when the cover 57 is mounted on thespeaker-module receiving portion 514. Then, the sound output to thespeaker module 55 passes through the sound output hole 515 and thenleaks between the periphery of the speaker-module cover 57 and theperiphery of the speaker-module receiving portion 514.

Hereinafter, the operation of the refrigerator 1 having the abovestructure will be described.

FIG. 15 is a block diagram showing the control signal flow of therefrigerator.

As shown in the figure, the refrigerator 1 is operated under the controlof the main PCB 11 to operate the refrigeration cycle including thecompressor 15 to cool the inside of the refrigerator. The main PCB 11controls the overall operation of the refrigerator and may be called amain controller or controller.

To operate the refrigerator 1, the user can directly manipulate thedisplay 24 of the refrigerator 1 or the auxiliary display 231. Further,the user can enter manipulation inputs to manipulate the temperature ofthe refrigerator 1, or to manipulate the performance of certainfunctions. Further, the manipulation such as manipulation of the wateror ice extraction through the dispenser 23 or turning the door light 225on and off for viewing through the sub-door 40 may be realized using theuser input.

In one example, the user can control the operation of the refrigerator 1by allowing the microphone module to recognize the user’s voice at aremote location where the user is far away from the refrigerator or whenthe user cannot use both hands.

For example, when the user utters a set trigger command in front of therefrigerator 1, the voice recognition mode is activated by themicrophone module 53 and the voice recognition PCB 56. The user can thengive the voice command for the operation of the refrigerator 1. When theuser issues the command, the voice signal input through the microphonemodule 53 is processed by the voice recognition PCB 56 and thentransmitted to the main PCB 11. In this way, the specific operation ofthe refrigerator can b be controlled.

An example of a function manipulated by a user’s voice is given below.

For instance, the user can check the operation status of therefrigerator 1 by turning on the display 24 of the refrigerator 1 viavoice command. Further, the temperature sensed by the temperature sensor13 may be output to the display 24 by turning on the display 24 of therefrigerator 1 via the voice command. The user can adjust thetemperature of the refrigerating compartment and the freezingcompartment via the voice input with reference to the output temperatureor may control the refrigerator to operate in the desired state via thevoice input.

The user may also turn on and off the door light 225 via voice command.When the door light 225 is turned on and off, the sub-door 40 may becomeselectively transparent or opaque. When the door light 225 is turned on,the transparent portion 421 a of the sub-door 40 becomes visible so thatthe interior of the door basket 221 can be identified even when thesub-door 40 is closed.

Further, the user can manipulate the dispenser 23 via the user’s voicecommand. The user can also dispense water or ice via the user’s voicecommand. The user may control the dispenser valve 232 via voice commandindicating the desired amount of water. Subsequently, the dispenservalve 232 and the dispenser 23 may operate according to the setoperation so that the desired amount of water is dispensed.

In some cases, the user may select the ice state of the ice maker 25through the user’s voice. For example, if the user chooses an ice state,such as crushed ice or normal ice, the ice maker 25 or the icedischarging device 251 provided in the ice bank for storing the ice mayperform the set operation so that the ice having the selected ice stateis dispensed through the dispenser 23.

Further, various operation information including the change of theoperation state or the setting state of the refrigerator 1 may bedisplayed on the display 24 or the auxiliary display 231, and may beoutput through the speaker module 55 audio prompts.

Further, the speaker module 55 may output not only the operationinformation but also the sound notification about whether the user voiceinput to the microphone module is valid. Thus, the user is prompted toinput the correct voice command to the refrigerator 1.

In one example, the refrigerator 1 according to an implementation of thepresent disclosure may have various other implementations besides theabove-described implementation.

Another implementation of the present disclosure relates to a structurein which a single door opens and closes a single space. The capdecoration in this implementation is different from the aboveimplementations. The other components except for the cap decoration arethe same as in the above implementations. Thus, the same referencenumerals are used for the same components, and a detailed descriptionthereof will be omitted.

FIG. 16 is a front view of a refrigerator in accordance with anotherimplementation of the present disclosure. FIG. 17 is a perspective viewof a refrigerator door in accordance with another implementation of thepresent disclosure.

Another implementation of the present disclosure includes a refrigerator2 including a cabinet 60 defining a storage space and doors 61 and 62opening and closing the cabinet 60.

In the cabinet 60, the space may be partitioned vertically. The upperand lower compartments may be maintained at different temperatures. Thedoor may include an upper door 62 that opens and closes the upperstorage space and at least one lower door 61 that opens and closes thelower storage space.

The upper door 62 is pivotally mounted to the cabinet. The upper storagespace is opened and closed by pivoting the door 62. The lower door 61are mounted in a retractable or extended manner. The lower storage spaceis opened and closed by retracting or extending the door 61.Hereinafter, the upper door 62 may be referred to as a door 62.

The door 62 has the sub-door 40 pivotally coupled thereto to open orclose a central opening of the door 62. The appearance of the door 62may be defined by an out plate 621, a door liner, and a cap decoration70 as in the implementations described above. The inner space defined bythe out plate 621, the door liner and the cap decoration 70 may befilled with the insulation material.

The cap decoration 70 has a top recess 701 defined therein. The toprecess 701 is shielded by a door cover 71. The microphone module 53 andthe microphone-module support 54 and the speaker module 55 are mountedon the door cover 71. On the cap decoration 70 and the door cover 71,there are mounted the microphone module 53 and the speaker module 55which are the same as those of the implementation as described above interms of the configurations except for the size and shape.

To this end, the microphone-module mount 511 having the protrusion 511a, the inclined portion 511 b, the depression 513, and the voice inputhole 512 is formed on one side of the door cover 71. On the other sideof the door cover 71, the speaker-module mounting portion 514 is definedin which the sound output hole 515 and the edge protrusion 515 a and thespeaker-module mounting boss 516 are formed. The speaker module 55 isreceived in the speaker-module mounting portion 514. The speaker-modulecover 57 covers the speaker-module mounting portion 514.

FIG. 18 is an exploded perspective view showing a mounting structure ofthe door opening mechanism in accordance with another implementation ofthe present disclosure. FIG. 19 is an exploded perspective view of a topportion of a refrigerator door.

As shown, a main PCB 11 is provided on the top face of the door cabinet60. The door opening mechanism 63 may be provided on the side to themain PCB 11. The door opening mechanism 63 is configured so that thepush rod 631 may be extended or retracted. When the push rod 631 isextended or protruded, the rear face of the door 62 may be pushed by therod 631 to open the door 62. When the push rod 631 is retracted, thedoor 62 is closed by its own weight.

The main PCB 11 and the door opening mechanism 63 are mounted on the topface of the cabinet 60 and in a front portion thereof. A top portion ofthe cabinet 60 may include a main case 12 which accommodates both themain PCB 11 and the door opening mechanism 63 as well as a hingemechanism 14 for opening and closing the door 62.

In one example, in another implementation of the present disclosure, thethickness of the door 62 may be relatively small. In such cases, therelatively large door opening mechanism 63 may not be located in the capdecoration 70, but rather mounted on the cabinet 60 to push and rotatethe door 62.

The door opening mechanism 63 may be disposed on the cabinet 60 toachieve a slim profile of the door 62. Thus, the insulation loss of thedoor 62 may be minimized even in a slim structure.

The microphone module 53, the speaker module 55, and the voicerecognition PCB 56 may be disposed in the interior of the top recess701. The speaker module 55 and the microphone module 53 have the samestructure as in the above-mentioned implementations. The connectionstructure thereof with the door cover 71 may be the same as in theabove-mentioned implementations. However, there is a difference only inthe placement position thereof therebetween. Accordingly, it may beknown that the positions of the microphone-module mount 511 and thespeaker-module receiving portion 514 are different from those in theabove-mentioned implementations.

In one example, in another implementation of the present disclosure, therefrigerator 2 has a structure that one door 62 opens and closes thestorage space. Therefore, in order to improve the voice recognitionperformance from the user, the microphone-module mount 511 may belocated in the middle position of the left region of the door 62. Thedoor opening mechanism 63 is positioned on the cabinet 60. Thus, thelocation of the microphone module 53 and the microphone-module mount 511may be present at the central region of the door 62.

The microphone module 53 and the speaker module 55 are different fromthose in the above-described implementations only in term of thepositions but are the same as those in the above-describedimplementations in terms of the configuration. Therefore, the detailedstructures thereof are to be replaced with those in the above-describedimplementation.

The implementations of the present have been described with reference toa DID (door in door) type refrigerator where the door has an opening anda sub-door 40 is present for opening and closing the opening. However,the implementations of the present may be applied to all types ofrefrigerators that may include the cap decoration 70, including adrawer-type door as well as a rotary type door without the sub-door 40.

The implementations of the present disclosure as disclosed in thepresent specification and drawings are merely illustrative of specificexamples for purposes of understanding of the present disclosure, and,thus, are not intended to limit the scope of the present disclosure. Itwill be apparent to those skilled in the art that other variations basedon the technical idea of the present disclosure other than theimplementations disclosed herein are feasible.

What is claimed is:
 1. A refrigerator comprising: a cabinet having a storage space therein; a door configured to open and close at least a portion of the storage space; a microphone module disposed at an upper facing portion of the door and configured to receive a voice command from a user; a speaker module disposed at the upper facing portion of the door and configured to output a refrigerator operation information; and a controller configured to control an operation of the refrigerator based on the voice command received at the microphone module.
 2. The refrigerator of claim 1, further comprising a door cover that covers at least a portion of the upper facing portion of the door; wherein a recess is recessed downward from an upper surface portion of the door and configured to accommodate the microphone module and the speaker module therein, and wherein the door cover covers the recess and is configured to shield the microphone module and the speaker module.
 3. The refrigerator of claim 2, wherein the speaker module and the microphone module are mounted at a bottom of the door cover and spaced apart from a bottom of the recess.
 4. The refrigerator of claim 3, wherein the speaker module and the microphone module are spaced apart from each other in the recess.
 5. The refrigerator of claim 2, wherein a microphone-module mount protrudes upward on the door cover, the microphone module being mounted on the microphone-module mount and wherein a voice input hole is defined through the microphone-module mount and configured to transmit a sound of the voice command from an outside of the door cover to the microphone module.
 6. The refrigerator of claim 5, wherein the voice input hole defined at a protruded perimeter of the microphone-module mount.
 7. The refrigerator of claim 5, wherein a microphone-module support is mounted on a bottom surface of the microphone-module mount and supports the microphone module.
 8. The refrigerator of claim 3, wherein a speaker-module receiving portion that is recessed in the door cover is provided at a position of the door cover corresponding to the speaker module, the speaker module being mounted at a lower portion the speaker-module receiving portion; wherein a sound output hole is defined in the speaker-module receiving portion, a sound output portion of the speaker module being in communication with the sound output hole; and where a speaker-module cover is provided to cover the sound output hole.
 9. The refrigerator of claim 8, wherein an outer perimeter of the speaker-module cover is spaced apart from an outer perimeter of the speaker-module receiving portion.
 10. The refrigerator of claim 2, wherein a voice-recognition printed circuit board (PCB) connected to the microphone module and speaker-module is accommodated in the recess, the PCB being configured to process a signal input from the microphone module and output the processed signal to the speaker module.
 11. The refrigerator of claim 10, wherein a main PCB is provided at the cabinet and configured to control operation of the refrigerator, and wherein voice-recognition PCB is configured to transmit the processed signal to the main PCB.
 12. The refrigerator of claim 1, wherein the door includes: a main door rotatably coupled to cabinet and defining an opening that, based on the main door being closed, is configured to provide access to the storage space; and a sub-door rotatably coupled to the door and configured to open and close the opening, wherein the sub-door includes a panel assembly made from a plurality of glass panels, the panel assembly being configured to allow the user to view an interior of the storage space therethrough.
 13. The refrigerator of claim 12, wherein the main door includes: a cap decoration that is mounted on a top surface portion of the door and defines a recess that accommodates the microphone module and the speaker module; and a door cover that covers the recess.
 14. The refrigerator of claim 12, wherein the panel assembly includes: a front glass defining the front surface of the panel assembly; a rear glass defining the rear surface of the panel assembly; and a spacer disposed between the front and rear glasses to define a sealed space therebetween.
 15. The refrigerator of claim 12, wherein a door light is disposed on the door and configured to emit light to the storage space, wherein the panel assembly is configured, based on the door light being turned on, to become at least partially transparent to thereby allow the user to view the interior of the storage space therethrough, and wherein the panel assembly is configured, based on the door light being turned off, to become at least partially opaque to thereby restrict the user from viewing the interior of the storage space therethrough.
 16. The refrigerator of claim 15, wherein the door light disposed on the main door and exposed at a side of the opening.
 17. The refrigerator of claim 12, wherein a display is provided at the opening, and wherein based on the display being turned on to output information, the output information of the display is visible through the panel assembly.
 18. The refrigerator of claim 1, wherein the microphone module and the speaker module form an upper exterior surface of the door. 